The best albums of 2014

Ranked by every score on sleeves, critics' and listeners'. An album with few scores is pulled toward the average until more come in, so one perfect score cannot top the list.

  1. 1SyroAphex Twin · 4.4 from 4 scores
  2. 2Salad DaysMac DeMarco · 4.3 from 3 scores
  3. 3Lost in the DreamThe War on Drugs · 4.3 from 3 scores
  1. 4Run the Jewels 2Run the Jewels4.5 from 1 score
  2. 5.5: The Gray ChapterSlipknot4 from 2 scores
  3. 6UltraviolenceLana Del Rey3.8 from 3 scores
  4. 7bury me at makeout creekMitski4 from 1 score
  5. 8ZABAGlass Animals3.5 from 1 score
  6. 9Queen of the CloudsTove Lo3.5 from 1 score
  7. 10HozierHozier3.5 from 1 score
  8. 111000 Forms of FearSia3.5 from 2 scores
  9. 121989Taylor Swift3.5 from 2 scores
  10. 132014 Forest Hills DriveJ. Cole3.5 from 2 scores
  11. 14My EverythingAriana Grande3.5 from 3 scores
  12. 15Royal BloodRoyal Blood3.3 from 3 scores
  13. 16This Is All Yoursalt‐J3.3 from 3 scores
  14. 17WorldsPorter Robinson3.3 from 2 scores
  15. 18The Hunting PartyLinkin Park3.3 from 2 scores
  16. 19In the Lonely HourSam Smith3.2 from 3 scores
  17. 20MotionCalvin Harris3 from 2 scores
  18. 21Ghost StoriesColdplay3 from 3 scores
  19. 22VMaroon 52.8 from 2 scores
  20. 23XscapeMichael Jackson2.8 from 3 scores